The seven spirits of God — The Holy Spirit, from whom alone all spiritual life and strength proceed. And the seven stars — which are subordinate to him. Thou hast a name that thou livest — A fair reputation, a goodly outside appearance. But that Spirit seeth through all things, and every empty appea... [ Continue Reading ]
The things which remain — In thy soul; knowledge of the truth, good desires, and convictions. Which were ready to die — Wherever pride, indolence, or levity revives, all the fruits of the Spirit are ready to die.... [ Continue Reading ]
Remember how — Humbly, zealously, seriously. Thou didst receive the grace of God once, and hear — His word. And hold fast — The grace thou hast received. And repent — According to the word thou hast heard.... [ Continue Reading ]
Yet thou hast a few names — That is, persons. But though few, they had not separated themselves from the rest; otherwise, the angel of Sardis would not have had them. Yet it was no virtue of his, that they were unspotted; whereas it was his fault that they were but few. Who have not defiled their ga... [ Continue Reading ]
He shall be clothed in white raiment — The colour of victory, joy, and triumph. And I will not blot his name out of the book of life — Like that of the angel of the church at Sardis: but he shall live for ever. I will confess his name — As one of my faithful servants and soldiers.... [ Continue Reading ]
The holy one, the true one — Two great and glorious names He that hath the key of David — A master of a family, or a prince, has one or more keys, wherewith he can open and shut all the doors of his house or palace. So had David a key, a token of right and sovereignty, which was afterward adjudged t... [ Continue Reading ]
I have given before thee an opened door — To enter into the joy of thy Lord; and, meantime, to go on unhindered in every good work. Thou hast a little strength — But little outward human strength; a little, poor, mean, despicable company. Yet thou hast kept my word — Both in judgment and practice.... [ Continue Reading ]
Behold, I — who have all power; and they must then comply. I will make them come and bow down before thy feet — Pay thee the lowest homage. And know — At length, that all depends on my love, and that thou hast a place therein. O how often does the judgment of the people turn quite round, when the Lo... [ Continue Reading ]
Because thou hast kept the word of my patience — The word of Christ is indeed a word of patience. I also will keep thee — O happy exemption from that spreading calamity! From the hour of temptation — So that thou shalt not enter into temptation; but it shall pass over thee. The hour denotes the shor... [ Continue Reading ]
Thy crown — Which is ready for thee, if thou endure to the end.... [ Continue Reading ]
I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God — I will fix him as beautiful, as useful, and as immovable as a pillar in the church of God. And he shall go out no more — But shall be holy and happy for ever. And I will write upon him the name of my God — So that the nature and image of God shall a... [ Continue Reading ]
To the angel of the church at Laodicea — For these St. Paul had had a great concern, Colossians 2:1. These things saith the Amen — That is, the True One, the God of truth. The beginning — The Author, Prince, and Ruler. Of the creation of God — Of all creatures; the beginning, or Author, by whom God... [ Continue Reading ]
I know thy works — Thy disposition and behaviour, though thou knowest it not thyself. That thou art neither cold — An utter stranger to the things of God, having no care or thought about them. Nor hot — As boiling water: so ought we to be penetrated and heated by the fire of love. O that thou wert —... [ Continue Reading ]
So because thou art lukewarm — The effect of lukewarm water is well known. I am about to spue thee out of my mouth — I will utterly cast thee from me; that is, unless thou repent.... [ Continue Reading ]
Because thou sayest — Therefore "I counsel thee," &c. I am rich — In gifts and grace, as well as worldly goods. And knowest not that thou art — In God's account, wretched and pitiable.... [ Continue Reading ]
I counsel thee — who art poor, and blind, and naked. To buy of me — Without money or price. Gold purified in the fire — True, living faith, which is purified in the furnace of affliction. And white raiment — True holiness. And eyesalve — Spiritual illumination; the "unction of the Holy One," which t... [ Continue Reading ]
Whomsoever I love — Even thee, thou poor Laodicean! O how much has his unwearied love to do! I rebuke — For what is past. And chasten — That they may amend for the time to come.... [ Continue Reading ]
I stand at the door, and knock — Even at this instant; while he is speaking this word. If any man open — Willingly receive me. I will sup with him — Refreshing him with my graces and gifts, and delighting myself in what I have given. And he with me — In life everlasting.... [ Continue Reading ]
I will give him to sit with me on my throne — In unspeakable happiness and glory. Elsewhere, heaven itself is termed the throne of God: but this throne is in heaven.... [ Continue Reading ]
He that hath an ear, let him hear, &c. — This stands in the three former letters before the promise; in the four latter, after it; clearly dividing the seven into two parts; the first containing three, the last, four letters. The titles given our Lord in the three former letters peculiarly respect h... [ Continue Reading ]